Politics

ADC in transition — David Mark has capacity to provide leadership, says Ralph Nwosu

Published

2 weeks ago

June 28, 2025

Ralph Nwosu, national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Ralph Nwosu, founder and national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the party is in transition and that former Senate President David Mark possesses the capacity to provide the required focus.

On Saturday morning, reports swirled that Mark had been appointed as the interim national chairman of the party.

When contacted by Ekwutosblog, Nwosu neither confirmed nor denied Mark’s appointment, but said the party is undergoing a transition and will make an official announcement next week.

“ADC has been in transition for the last 18 months. Where we are going is to make sure that we can build it to a state where patriots and citizens of this country would believe that it is not business as usual — and people with the highest integrity and moral force would be put together to lead the way forward,” he said.

Nwosu, who has led the ADC since its inception, lauded Mark’s leadership pedigree and described him as a figure the party needs for stability ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The distinguished senator David Mark has served the country in different capacities, and he has displayed leadership and patriotism. That is the kind of leadership we want to showcase to our country moving forward,” he added.

“To build a stable, focused, disciplined culture in the political party, there is no better person than David Mark if he were to agree to do that patriotic job.

“It is not about zone, it is not about anything, it is about Nigeria. We have some decent men who have lived for Nigeria, and David Mark is one.

“He is, in any way, possibly the first exemplar of what we want to do for the country. But we will wait until next week. Everything would be clear to all Nigerians.”

Baba Abdullahi, ADC national secretary, also did not deny or confirm Mark’s appointment.

“It is not a hanging news, but let it be until it is presented well,” he said.

Mark, a retired army general, served as senate president from 2007 to 2015. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and has not officially resigned from the party.

COALITION TALKS

Since the start of the year, opposition leaders have been ramping up high-level consultations aimed at forging a united political front strong enough to challenge and possibly unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Key figures involved in the coalition discussions include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna governor; and Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Rivers governor.

In May, TheCable reported that opposition leaders agreed to adopt the ADC as a platform to run in the 2027 elections.

Politics

ADC Strengthens Party Structure with Release of State Chairmen Names

Published

3 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a significant step in bolstering its organizational structure nationwide by releasing the names of its state chairmen for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This move aims to enhance coordination and leadership at the state level as the party prepares for future elections.

Full List of ADC State Chairmen:

South-South
Akwa Ibom State: Duke Gabriel Dick
Delta State: Austine Okotie
Rivers State: Ode Lawrence E

South-East

Abia State: Iyke Nwoka
Anambra State: Patrick Obianyo
Ebonyi State: Jennifer Adibie N
Enugu State: Stella Chukwula
Imo State: Prof James Okoroma

North-Central
Benue State: Celestine Orbunda
Kogi State: John Adeli Udale
Kwara State: Adebayo Akadi
Nasarawa State: Musa S. Shuaib
Niger State: Auta Mohammed
Plateau State: Hanatu Garaba

North-East
Adamawa State: Yohanna Shehu K
Bauchi State: Hon. Haruna Hassan
Borno State: Mohammed Bolori
Gombe State: Mallam Danladi Yau
Taraba State: Adamu Hassan
Yobe State: Alh. Kalli Umar

North-West
Jigawa State: Alh. Sanni Mohammed
Kaduna State: Ahmed Tijani M
Kano State: Ungogo Musa
Katsina State: Alh. Usman Musa
Kebbi State: Hajia Hawa Mohammed
Sokoto State: Hon. Umar Farouk
Zamfara State: Alh. Kabiru Garba

South-West
Ekiti State: Adekolu O. Moses
Lagos State: George Ashiru
Ogun State: Otunba Pat. Olufemi
Ondo State: Chief Mrs. Ganiyu Sidirika
Osun State: Charles Idowu
Oyo State: Alh. Yinka Adona
FCT: Yusuf Tijani

Politics

Akpabio removes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senate committee chair

Published

19 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced the replacement of suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations

Akpabio, during plenary on Thursday, announced Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new chairman of the committee.

As a result, Bassey replaces Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, whose leadership of the committee had been uncertain due to her suspension.

Recall that in a minor reshuffle earlier in February, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content and reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee.

Although no formal explanation was provided for her replacement, it is thought that the move may not be unconnected to her suspension.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had ordered Natasha’s reinstatement, mandating her to tender an apology to the Senate for her conduct.

But the Senate maintains it is yet to receive a certified true copy of the court’s judgement.

Natasha, on her part, is yet to tender the apology.

Politics

Ekiti 2026: SDP slams Oyebanji’s performance, APC fires back

Published

22 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Political temperature in Ekiti State is already heating up as the 2026 governorship election approaches, with the opposition Social Democratic Party, SDP, and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, locked in a war of words over Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership.

SDP State Chairman, Bamikole Ayodele, on Thursday, criticized the Oyebanji-led administration, accusing it of underperforming in critical sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, security, tourism, and job creation.

He alleged that the governor had mismanaged public resources and failed to meet the expectations of the electorate.

“The governor is not delivering on his mandate,” Ayodele said during a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti. “There is little to show in terms of infrastructure. Ekiti, being an agriculturally rich state, has seen no meaningful reform to empower our youth or boost food production.”

He also accused the administration of partisan governance, claiming that employment and development initiatives are being disproportionately directed toward APC loyalists.

“Governor Oyebanji must remember he governs the entire state, not just his party,” he said, urging the administration to embrace innovation, merit, and inclusivity.

In a swift reaction, APC State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the SDP’s criticisms as baseless and politically motivated. He described the opposition as “moribund” and its leaders as people seeking relevance ahead of the next election cycle.

“Oyebanji’s performance speaks for itself,” Dipe stated. “From agriculture to infrastructure, security to tourism, the administration is making meaningful progress. Visit the rural areas, projects are ongoing. Though the rainy season may slow construction, the development efforts are visible.”

He cited the restoration of electricity to long-neglected communities and road construction projects in remote areas as clear indicators of the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth. Dipe also pointed to the governor’s high approval ratings among residents as proof of public confidence.

“The people of Ekiti know who is working for them,” The SDP’s claim that it can unseat the APC in 2026 is not only unrealistic but laughable. They lack the structure and visibility to mount a serious challenge,” he said.